Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening
An adapted screening for the perinatal period: depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts
Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening
An adapted screening for the perinatal period: depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts
Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening
An adapted screening for the perinatal period: depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect approximately 1 in 5 birthing parents and 1 in 10 non-birthing partners (Wisner et al., 2013; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). They are the most common complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet remain underscreened and undertreated. This screening covers the three most common postpartum presentations: depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. It is adapted from validated instruments including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Cox et al., 1987) and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (Fallon et al., 2016). This checklist is for discussion with a clinician and gives no score. For a validated screen, use the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
Depression, past 7 days
Anxiety, past 7 days
Intrusive thoughts, past 7 days
Functioning and supports
References
- Cox, J. L., Holden, J. M., & Sagovsky, R. (1987). Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry, 150(6), 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.150.6.782
- Fallon, V., Halford, J. C. G., Bennett, K. M., & Harrold, J. A. (2016). The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale: Development and preliminary validation. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19(6), 1079-1090. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-016-0658-9
- Paulson, J. F., & Bazemore, S. D. (2010). Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: A meta-analysis. JAMA, 303(19), 1961-1969. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.605
- Wisner, K. L., Sit, D. K. Y., McShea, M. C., Rizzo, D. M., Zoretich, R. A., Hughes, C. L., Eng, H. F., Luther, J. F., Wisniewski, S. R., Costantino, M. L., Confer, A. L., Moses-Kolko, E. L., Famy, C. S., & Hanusa, B. H. (2013). Onset timing, thoughts of self-harm, and diagnoses in postpartum women with screen-positive depression findings. JAMA Psychiatry, 70(5), 490-498. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.87
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See also
Clinical guides that use this worksheet
Common Questions
What is the Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening worksheet?
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect approximately 1 in 5 birthing parents and 1 in 10 non-birthing partners (Wisner et al., 2013; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010). They are the most common complication of pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet remain underscreened and undertreated.
How do I use the Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening worksheet?
Rate each item honestly. This is a self-assessment tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Bring your results to your next therapy session for discussion.
Is the Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening worksheet free?
Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF, no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.
Can I fill out the Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Screening worksheet online?
Yes. Switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.
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